Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Football

Philippines routs UAE to open campaign with a bang


It was as if the cold and wet weather that night decided to conspire with the Philippines in its opener at the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, as goals rained down on their opponents, the United Arab Emirates, Monday evening at the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Not bothered by the brisk cold that averaged at 10 degrees Celsius that night, the Filipinas seemed quite at home when they put the pressure on their opponents early on.

As bright as the yellow threads they were wearing, this optimism paid off in the 14th minute. Alesa Dai Dolino’s long pass from way out back led to Irish Navaja flying down the right flank, before she passed it off to Sara Castañeda. Castañeda collected the ball just outside the box, noticed Eva Madarang near the penalty spot, and all it took was a short pass before the striker slammed home the Philippines’ first goal for the tournament.

Jovelle Sudaria went close to doubling the Philippines’ lead seventeen minutes later after a headed pass from Madarang in the area gave her a clear view of the goal, but her shot went slightly over.

Defender Claire Lim had the same opportunity when her free kick near the halfway line hit the crossbar in the 42nd minute.

Eventually, it was Madarang again who consolidated the lead after Lim’s pass near the halfway line dropped the ball in her vicinity. Madarang fended off defenders before volleying in for a brace.

After halftime, the Filipinas refused to take the foot off the pedal as they continued to attack.

#ReadMore  Facing old team Blackwater felt like scrimmage for Paul Zamar

Five minutes into restart, a run into UAE’s final third led to Madarang bullying for the ball which she passed to Castañeda. Seeing Navaja running down the left flank, Castañeda rewarded her efforts with a pass which Navaja struck. From what looked like a cross intended for Madarang, the ball instead hit the far post that bounced into the net.

Four minutes later, it was Navaja who returned the favor to her La Sallian teammate when her cross was calmly collected by Castañeda, who only had to chip the ball into the net for the Philippines’ final goal of the night.

All the goals that were scored are first international goals for Madarang, Navaja, and Castañeda. Madarang and Navaja also made their first caps as starters, along with Sudaria. Anicka Castañeda, Alisha Del Campo, Zhyrelle Belluga made their first caps coming on as substitutes.

Asked if nerves were an issue during her first cap, Navaja — later named AFC’s Woman of the Match — said it didn’t bother her at all.

“I didn’t feel nervous. Kasi yung mindset ko sa game na talaga. Nung Sunday training palang, I was in the first eleven group so pinaghandaan ko. Kailangan ko maglaro ng maayos at maipakita sa mga coaches na I am worth being part of the first eleven,” revealed Navaja but later admitted to succumbing a little to the importance of the occasion.

“When we were walking to the field holding hands, I felt happy and got teary eyed. But I said, ‘No, no, stop it ‘Rish don’t get emotional!’ because you know the effects of singing our national anthem makes me feel that way.”

Navaja clarified she held back to focus on such a crucial game.

#ReadMore  PVL: Choco Mucho edges out Petro Gazz in five-set nail-biter

“We need to win every game, [one game] at a time, so we better start it from the beginning. I think we are all [on the same] page, everyone is spreading the good vibes especially our coaches. They make us all laugh and eventually it [all] worked out,” she added.


Philippines XI: Palacios, Lim, Dolino, Long, Tomanon (Belluga), Sudaria (Castañeda A.), Parado, Impelido (C), Castañeda S., Navaja, Madarang (Del Campo)

UAE XI: Abdulla Saif (C), Al Baloshi, Khamis, Mamdouh, Obaid Sanad Rashid, Faleh, Ahmed (Ahmed Alhammadi), Taheri, Khaled (Ahmad), Mehayer, Gharib Juma (Jassem)


ON DECK:

Next match for the Philippines will be on April 5, Wednesday, as the Nationals take on Iraq at 4 p.m. (Philippine time).

WATCH HERE: http://mycujoo.tv/ch/273?id=4541

2019 AFC Women’s Cup Qualifiers Group A Standings


JORDAN – 3 pts (+6)
PHILIPPINES – 3 pts (+4)
TAJIKISTAN – 3 pts (+1)
IRAQ – 0 pt (-1)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – 0 pt (-4)
BAHRAIN – 0 pt (-6)

Photo from AFC.com

Written By

Mia's problem is she likes too many things. Sometimes she's an engineer, sometimes an athlete, sometimes an artist, sometimes a faux dog whisperer, sometimes an otaku, often a Kobe Bryant and Roger Federer fangirl but she most definitely is a sports enthusiast and a strong advocate of the women's game.


You May Also Like

DLSU

Sara Castañeda is back in the fold for De La Salle University, this time as a member of the team’s coaching staff. The two-time...

Filipinas

Filipinas goalkeeper Inna Palacios hit two birds with one stone last Saturday. Not only did the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship gold medalist witness the...

Football

In a thrilling showdown last Saturday, Kaya-Iloilo secured its inaugural PFF Women’s League sponsored by Coca-Cola Philippines title with a narrow 1-0 victory over...

Filipinas

Jessica Miclat is set to return to international duty with the Philippine Women’s National Football Team for its upcoming matches in the second round...

19th Asian Games

The Philippine Women’s National Football Team encountered its first setback in the 19th Asian Games, suffering a 1-5 loss to Korea Republic on Monday...

19th Asian Games

Eva Madarang is focused on the future now that she has rejoined the Philippine Women’s National Football team for their campaign in the 19th...

19th Asian Games

Mark Torcaso’s tenure as the new head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team has commenced with his selection of new faces for...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Fresh from their historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in New Zealand, the Filipinas paid a visit to the Gilas Pilipinas’ team practice...

Advertisement